Pouring Element Rounding for Mandrel Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pouring elements in composite packaging for liquid foods often fail under thermal and mechanical loads during the packaging process, leading to damaged or leaking packages, and they do not securely hold onto the mandrel in packaging machines.
Innovation Solution
A pouring element with a round holding element on the inside of the flange for smooth engagement and disengagement from the mandrel, combined with a polyhedrally formed flange and reinforcement features like fillets and ribs, ensures a secure and precise hold, reducing stress concentrations and enhancing structural strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional holding element is used on the pouring element, then the pouring element can be joined to the package sleeve, but it does not securely hold onto the mandrel in packaging machines under thermal and mechanical loads
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed with a rounded cross-section instead of a rectangular or angular shape. This curvature allows the holding element to flex and conform to the mandrel surface during thermal and mechanical loading, maintaining secure contact without creating stress concentration points that would compromise structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The flange is designed with varying thickness - thinner at the holding element region to allow flexibility and thicker at the pouring element region to maintain structural strength. This local variation in material distribution optimizes both holding security and overall structural integrity
2Manufacturing precision
If the pouring element is securely held on the mandrel during packaging, then precise positioning is achieved, but stress concentrations occur leading to damage or leaking packages
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded cross-section of the holding element eliminates sharp corners and edges that would act as stress concentration points. The curved geometry distributes mechanical stresses uniformly across the holding element, preventing localized failure while maintaining precise positioning on the mandrel
Solution Approach 2:
The rounded holding element design inherently cushions against stress concentrations before they can cause damage. The curved geometry acts as a stress-distributing feature that prevents the initiation of cracks or deformations during the packaging process
Data Source
AI summary
A pouring element for a package having a base body, a polyhedrally formed flange, the flange inner surfaces of which converge in face abutments, for joining to a package sleeve and at least one holding element projecting on the inside of the flange for operatively connecting to a mandrel of a packaging machine, as well as a pouring element with polyhedrally formed gable surfaces, which are correspondingly joined to the polyhedrally formed flange. Provision is made for the holding element to be formed as a rounding in the area of the face abutments on the inside of the flange, in order to prevent the pouring element from becoming damaged during the whole joining process with the package sleeve when putting the pouring element onto, holding it on and removing it from the mandrel and additionally in order to guarantee a secure and precise hold.